Job Seeker Success Stories

Agent for change
Chris joined YMCA Training in Harrogate initially on a two week Gateway programme. Chris had been out of work for nearly two years after the job he had really enjoyed at NatWest had come to an end. The loss of the job lead to depression and when the opportunity came up to attend the programme at YMCA Training, he jumped at it.

The Gateway programme is intensive and focuses on equipping participants for employment. Chris produced a CV and letters and was trained in interview techniques. He also received help and guidance from the staff. This slowly helped him build his confidence and self esteem.

When Chris completed the Gateway course, he continued on our job seeker programme. Graham Carter, Coordinator for YMCA Training in North Yorkshire commented, “It was good to see Chris get his confidence and motivation back and we could see this grow daily.”

Chris began to send out speculative letters to potential employers. However, Chris was reluctant to join an employment agency as he was unconvinced that this route would work for him, something he had in common with many of our clients.

However, Chris listened to what we had to say about how recruitment agencies could help him and joined Reed Recruitment. Through their website he applied for the Administrator role at Wetherby Youth Offending Unit.  Chris was successful in gaining an interview and came into the Harrogate centre looking very smart in his new suit and accessories, which he had been able to buy through the help of YMCA Training.

He admitted to being nervous but Training Advisers were supportive, calming him down and wishing him luck. Two hours later Chris was back, having been offered the job!

Chris was delighted that he had gained the position and said that he couldn’t have achieved it without the help and support he received from YMCA Training in Harrogate.

Rachael’s Story
Rachael has been attending employability skills training at our centre in Skipton. Here, she talks about her experience of the course:

“Before I started training I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of life.  I’m a single parent with three children and being a full time mother is not enough when they are at school all day.  I knew that I wanted a career but didn’t know where to start.  I heard about YMCA Training and went for an interview. A few days later I started and got stuck in!  Some days I didn’t feel like coming in but as soon as I walked through the door I felt the negative feeling literally drain out of me.  The first few weeks were very tiring, but when you get home and look at what you have done that day it feels GREAT!

When I started YMCA Training I was very withdrawn and felt that I was unable to accomplish anything.  After completing the courses and meeting new people, it has lifted my self esteem.  The staff at training are polite and sympathetic to your problems and feelings.  They encourage you as much as they can, but I have learnt over the past few months that at the end of the day it is down to you doing the work.  If you want to do it, you can!  You may feel that the exams are too stressful but they are not as bad as they seem.  The feeling you get when you receive your pass mark is great, it makes you feel that “yes I can do it” and that you can further your career, or get a “good job”. 

I have been on training for four months now, at 16 hrs a week, and have completed the following courses: Numeracy Level 2; Literacy Level 2 and Diploma in ICT. I have also completed Health and Safety level 2, and shortly hope to take the First Aid course.

If you want to do something with your life but not sure what, or you are sure, but don’t know where to start, then I recommend YMCA Training."

The IT girl!

Thanks to the help of YMCA Training, Kerry landed the administration job she wanted and is now looking forward to studying for her NVQ.

20 year old Kerry had studied at college for a year after leaving school, but it was not until November 2006 that she found employment. She gained a temporary position at high street store Evans for 8 weeks over the Christmas period, following which she returned to YMCA Training’s South Shields centre.

Kerry received support from Training Adviser Jeanette Baker during her job search. She was initially placed in a retail position, however, as Kerry had good IT skills, she was keen to move into an administration role.

Jeanette put Kerry forward for a position with Noah’s Ark, a children’s nursery in South Shields, who were looking for someone to do some general office work with them. Kerry successfully passed the interview and was taken on by the nursery for the remainder of her work placement.

During this time, Kerry impressed her employers, who told YMCA Training that they had been very happy with her work, her reliability and how she also got on well with children. The nursery proved how pleased they were with Kerry when they offered her a permanent job with them at the end of her placement.

Kerry said “I really wanted to make the move into administration to use my computer skills and YMCA Training helped me to get the job I was after. I was so excited when I got the permanent job – it meant so much to me to know the nursery were pleased with my work.”

The nursery has received a subsidy from the Jobcentre Plus towards an accredited qualification for Kerry, who will shortly be undertaking her NVQ in business administration.

Maintaining a positive outlook
Kevin had been out of work for sometime. His efforts to gain employment had unfortunately not been successful. When Kevin joined our Job Seeker programme at York YMCA Training, he was at first apprehensive as he was unsure of what to expect during his time on the programme.

Gradually Kevin’s perspective on what the future may hold for him became more optimistic and through discussion with our highly motivated team Kevin realised he could utilise the programme to help his prospects.

Through perseverance with job applications and coaching on job search and interview skills, Kevin discovered jobs are like buses- when you have one, others come along. Kevin gained an interview for the job of Night Porter for the New Country Inn, Selby. While at the interview Kevin was told that he was more likely to be offered the post of Maintenance Team Member and Kevin agreed that he would like to be considered for this role as he had adopted a positive outlook.

Kevin was successful at interview and was really pleased to be offered the position. Having gained a job, Kevin felt that his time with YMCA Training had been time well spent.

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